Olive Oil Has Painkilling Properties

Compound in it imitates activity of ibuprofen, researchers say

By Ed Edelson
HealthDay Reporter

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 31 (HealthDay News) -- A chance tasting at a scientific meeting in Sicily has led to another reason for including olive oil in your diet.

The pungent liquid turns out to contain a compound that has the same molecular action as ibuprofen, the widely used painkiller, researchers at the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia report in the Sept. 1 issue of Nature.

And that similarity means that olive oil may offer the same health benefits as low-dose use of anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, said research leader Paul A. S. Breslin. Those benefits include a reduced risk of heart attack, stroke, some cancers and Alzheimer's disease.

The research effort had its beginning at a meeting on molecular gastronomy, where Gary Beauchamp, director of Monell, was offered some newly pressed extra-virgin olive oil.

"He tasted it and it stung in his throat the same way as ibuprofen, a distinct sensation," Breslin said. "He brought that virgin olive oil back to us. We isolated a compound from it, synthesized it and tested it for activity."

That newly discovered compound has been named oleocanthal by the Monell researchers. Tests show that it inhibits cox-1 and cox-2, molecules associated with pain and inflammation, just as ibuprofen does.

But the action of oleocanthal is much weaker than that of ibuprofen. It would take 500 grams of olive oil to get the effect of the ibuprofen dose recommended for adult pain relief.

Breslin certainly isn't recommending that high a daily dose of olive oil. But he did say the new finding offers another reason for Americans to adopt the Mediterranean diet, which is rich in fish, unsaturated fat, fresh vegetables -- and olive oil.

"You could take a baby aspirin every day, but the Mediterranean diet offers the same health benefits," he said.

Olive oil can be substituted for some of the fat-rich products that abound in the current American diet, Breslin said. "You can put butter on your toast or dip it in olive oil," he said. "It's a no-brainer."

The health benefits of olive oil already have official federal approval. Last November, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized advertisements saying that olive oil helps reduce the risk of coronary disease.

More information

The Mediterranean diet and its benefits are described by the American Heart Association.

SOURCES: Paul A.S. Breslin, Ph.D., professor, Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia; Sept. 1, 2005, Nature

Olive Oil as an Anti-Inflammatory Properties

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Diets containing a high amount of olive oil are associated with numerous health benefits, including decreased risk of stroke, heart disease, breast cancer, lung cancer and some dementias. Certain anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin and ibuprofen are shown to produce similar health benefits.

Scientists have now discovered a naturally occurring chemical found in extra-virgin olive oils is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent. Named oleocanthal by researchers, the compound inhibits the activity of cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes. Ibuprofen also inhibits activity of COX enzymes in a similar manner.

To reach these conclusions, scientists from the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania also in Philadelphia evaluated the sensory properties noted in olive oil's "throaty bite" and the stinging properties ibuprofen sometimes produces in the back of the throat.

The sensory similarities between oleocanthal and ibuprofen led scientists to investigate if there were common properties. Because inhibition of COX activity underlies the anti-inflammatory actions of ibuprofen and other non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, the new findings suggest oleocanthal is a natural anti-inflammatory agent.

"Some of the health-related effects of the Mediterranean diet may be due to the natural anti-COX activity of oleocanthal from premium olive oils," says researcher Gary Beauchamp, PhD.

The Mediterranean diet consists of high intakes of vegetables, legumes, fruits and cereals. A moderate to high intake of fish and low intake of saturated fats but high intake of unsaturated fats, particularly olive oil, is also emphasized in the diet. The diet also requires a low intake of dairy products, mostly yogurts and cheese, and a low intake of meat. Lastly, a moderate intake of ethanol, mostly wine, is recommended.

SOURCE: Nature, 2005;437:45-46

This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day. To subscribe, go to http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.

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